Pace Needed for Stallwalkin' Dude in Dubai Golden Shaheen

Stallwalkin' Dude (USA) galloped 1200m on the dirt course Tuesday at 7am for the Group 1 US $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. In attendance was assistant trainer Howard Jacobson, son of head trainer and co-owner David, who will be supervising the dark bay gelding’s conditioning through the race. 

“He galloped well today and yesterday,” Jacobson said. “He’s a great horse with a lot of class and heart and we’re happy to be here with him. 

“We’re sticking to the routine and are going to let him run his race,” he continued. “We’re going to breeze him on Thursday or we might even do that tomorrow. His training hasn’t really changed since the day we got here.

“He’s a closer, so hopefully there will be pace,” Jacobson said. “With Imperial Hint out, St. Joe Bay has to be the pace in there. We hope someone goes out with him.”

The Jacobson yard has sent only one other runner to Dubai in the past. In 2015, Salutos Amigos (USA) ran eighth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, while also co-owned by his conditioner. 

“My father’s experience before definitely helped,” Jacobson said. “Knowing which horse to send is obviously key and knowing the track and the routine out here is very important. It was a good experience for my father last time and he wanted me to experience it here this time. Everything is world class here. It’s amazing.”

Mind Your Biscuits (USA) put his final serious track work to bed on Tuesday morning in advance of Saturday’s race. The chestnut came out at 5am amid rain showers and blew out 400m down the dirt course’s home stretch with trainer Chad Summers looking on from the grandstand. The Grade 1 winner then galloped out strongly around the bend.

“That’s why we bring our team out with us these days,” Summers said. “You want everything to go perfectly and it did. He blew out with (400m) in (22.20 seconds) to the wire. He galloped out in (37.40 seconds for 600m) and 52 (seconds for 800m). Everything was perfect. We put some air in his lungs and now we know he likes the track. Now we just wait for the draw tomorrow and keep our fingers crossed.” 

Dundonnell (USA) did not appear on the main track.

“I just kept him in the trotting ring and he just had a nice trot back around there for about 30 minutes,” trainer Caspar Fownes said. “Everything’s alright with him.

“His level of fitness is good. His last two runs have been pretty respectable efforts so we’re hoping if we get a good gate there’s a chance he could pick up a cheque again. The competition’s going be tough for the big night but his form’s pretty good and he looks well. He seems to handle the surface pretty good.”

Reynaldothewizard's (USA) jockey, Richard Mullen, said: “It looks a strong race but you know he will give his best and should be staying on in the straight.”

Pat Dobbs, jockey of Cool Cowboy (USA), said: “Reverting to sprinting has suited him this year and, unlike most, he does not mind the kickback so the draw is not so vital with him.”

Of My Catch (IRE) Sam Hitchcott, jockey, said: “Granted a low draw he can run a big race so fingers crossed we get a nice gate on Wednesday.”

When asked about Morawij (GB), jockey Chris Hayes said: “He is tough and the 1200m is ideal for him at Meydan. We had the worst possible draw when third last year but a better one when he won on Super Saturday. Hopefully we get a decent gate again in which case he will make them go.”

Muarrab's (GB) jockey Jim Crowley said: “Holding him up on Super Saturday did not suit him so I imagine we will ride him positively so, hopefully, we get a draw to help with that. He looked good winning this last year and can hopefully.

“It looks a strong race but you know he will give his best and should be staying on in the straight.”

St. Joe Bay (USA) walked the shed row at the quarantine facility at Meydan and is expected to breeze on Wednesday, with trainer Peter Miller scheduled to arrive in Dubai on Tuesday evening.

Dios Corrida (JPN) had a two-lap maintenance work over the Meydan dirt course. Assistant trainer Yoshinori Unoki said: "We went for a two lap canter today over the dirt course, our usual work routine, setting him up for his fast work tomorrow morning. Tomorrow we will go 1200m.”

Notlistenin’tome (AUS) remained in the quarantine trotting ring. Assistant trainer George Moore said: “We stayed in the trotting ring. I have nothing much to report but I guess that’s what you want. He is eating and drinking well. The plan is that he will do a lap and a half of the main track tomorrow.”

After a small amount of fluid was detected in Imperial Hint's (USA) right lung during an ultrasound examination on Monday afternoon, he was withdrawn as he had to be treated with medication for what was apparently a minor infection.

Trainer Luis Carvajal Jr was greatly disappointed by the development but is glad that the four-year-old is expected to recover quickly.

“This was like a one in two million chance for me to be here this year, so I don’t know when my next chance will be. It would be a miracle to come again,” said Carvajal. “I’m really sad not to be able to participate.”

Imperial Hint arrived in Dubai with a slight fever, which is not unusual in horses being transported over long distances.

“This can happen to any horse,” Carvajal said, adding that treatment became important when the fluid was detected in order to avoid the danger of pneumonia developing in the lungs.

“We’ve got to be very careful about this. It seems that he will have enough time to recuperate and go back home on March 29 with the rest of the (American-based) horses. It’s very good that the horse will be fine. Everything will be alright but it will be bittersweet to be here and watch the races.

“This was a wonderful opportunity to come here to Dubai and be a part of this beautiful festival, and I wish it would have been a different scenario.”

Source: Dubai Racing Club